“This would be statewide nondiscrimination protection,” said Nadine Smith, CEO of Equality Florida. “The majority of Floridians live in communities that have local protection, but it’s a patchwork quilt. You can live in a city where you’re fully protected but work in county where there's no protections at all.”

In Miami-Dade County, for instance, the cities of Miami and Miami Beach have adopted laws protecting people on the basis of gender identity and expression. The county has not.

Passing a state law “would ensure that you don’t need to consult your GPS to know whether you’ll be respected under the law,” Smith said. The proposed law would impact employment, housing and public accommodations. “We have to be concerned not just from 9 to 5, but from 5 to 9,” said Smith.

The proposal is co-sponsored by state Reps. Joe Saunders, D-Orlando, and Holly Raschein, R-Key Largo, and state Sen. Joseph Abruzzo, D-Wellington.

“This announcement is a game changer for our work in the legislature,” said Saunders, who with state Rep. David Richardson, D-Miami Beach, is one of two openly gay lawmakers in Tallahassee. “As policy makers we spend an incredible amount of time working to grow jobs and improve the economy. Today, we saw 11 of the state’s largest employers say our economic future depends on our ability to attract the most qualified workforce. I hope it’s a wake-up call.”

This is the eighth year a similar bill has been filed in Florida’s legislature. Previously, Saunders said, the legislation has “never even been heard in committee.”

“The question is whether the committee chairs and leadership will listen, have the debate and put it up for a vote,” Saunders said.

The first-term legislator hopes the powerhouse businesses supporting the proposal will help give it steam.

Disney spokeswoman Andrea M. Finger said the legislation would “ keep Florida competitive in the global marketplace for innovative and creative talent.”

Rich Jeffers, communications director for Orlando-based Darden restaurants, owner of chains Red Lobster, Olive Garden and The Capital Grille, said the proposal is consistent the company’s values. “Darden is a company very much committed to diversity and welcoming to people of all walks of life as guests and employees,” Jeffers said. “We think having a diverse employee base makes us a stronger company. It doesn’t make any sense to turn anyone away. It doesn’t make any sense. Having a broad range of potential employees is very good for our company, which operates in all 50 states.”

Jeffers said Darden long ago implemented protections for LGBT customers and workers. A few weeks ago, Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s top gay-rights group, gave Darden a 100 percent score on HRC’s annual corporate equality index.

Prospective employees often decide whether to relocate based on how a community treats its LGBT residents, he said.

“People want to make sure that working for a company is comfortable,” he said. “You want to extend that to the place where you live.”